49ers Provide Crabtree Rehab Update

Michael Crabtree has shown tremendous discipline as he rehabs a torn Achilles tendon.

Michael Crabtree has shown tremendous discipline as he rehabs a torn Achilles tendon.

The San Francisco 49ers leading wideout from 2012 suffered the injury on May 21 in the team's offseason program and has remained in the Bay Area ever since. Crabtree has done “everything he was asked to do,” according to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

The 49ers coach, speaking to the Bay Area media on Monday, praised the fifth-year wideout for his dedication towards returning to the field in 2013.

Harbaugh also shared that the team will soon place Crabtree on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The designation gives San Francisco the option to activate the star wide receiver during the season. Following the first six weeks of the regular season, the team would then have a three-week timetable to take Crabtree off the PUP list and then three more weeks to activate him on to the active roster.[ PHOTOS - MONDAY MEDIA AVAILABILITY ]

Harbaugh went on to sum up the early prognosis from team doctors on Crabtree’s rehabilitation of the surgically-repaired tendon.

“They feel very good about where he is right now,” the 49ers coach shared. “I wouldn’t categorize it as ahead of schedule because he’s just starting now to start moving on it.”

According to Harbaugh, the commitment to rehab has been paying off for Crabtree.

“It’s been healing so far, but it looks great,” Harbaugh added. “That’s from the words of the doctors. Again, optimistic there and Michael did a tremendous job post-surgery.”

The 49ers placed a pair of wideouts on the PUP list over the weekend. Kyle Williams and Mario Manningham will begin camp on the list, but could return to the roster soon. Harbaugh said he was “very optimistic” about Williams returning soon, but didn’t make a prediction on a potential return date.

“I don’t want to get into the area of commenting on the doctors and trainers,” Harbaugh said of Williams and Manningham.

The 49ers coach, however, did comment on the wideouts lining up to replace Crabtree in the starting lineup for the team's first preseason game on Aug. 8.